Thread: Any dog experts out there??

So, I asked this question on the pet thread and got no answers,
Question: what is the average top speed of dogs? Well, I looked it up and I have a hard time believing it! This is the answer I got: 19 MPH for the average dog and 42 MPH for a Greyhound! I find this hard to believe because my dog, which stands 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs in at 65 LBS. was clocked by my wife, to be traveling at 40 MPH for about a half a mile following my wife and kids in our car.
He is a australian shepherd/australian cattle dog mix, and who knows what else!

Originally Posted by JMS

So, I asked this question on the pet thread and got no answers,
Question: what is the average top speed of dogs? Well, I looked it up and I have a hard time believing it! This is the answer I got: 19 MPH for the average dog and 42 MPH for a Greyhound! I find this hard to believe because my dog, which stands 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs in at 65 LBS. was clocked by my wife, to be traveling at 40 MPH for about a half a mile following my wife and kids in our car.
He is a australian shepherd/australian cattle dog mix, and who knows what else!

I hope the lease wasn't caught on the bumper!

Originally Posted by Kenrup

I hope the lease wasn't caught on the bumper!

I don't know Mark. Sounds fast though. My husky/border collie cross chases down and kills hares on our property - I don't know what speed hares get to, but it's the only thing I've got to go by.

James.

Although I would not call myself an "expert" I do know a few things about dogs.
The Saluki or Afghan Hound is actually the fastest dog at 45mph
Many other dogs are capable of the 35-40 mph it's when you get over that 40mph is where we separate to the speedsters...
So yes your Aussie probably was hitting close to the 40mph level

Like I said I am no expert but I believe my facts to be pretty accurate!!!!

Although I'd believe that your dog actually was going that fast (being a sheep dog), your car could need some calibration if you don't believe it. I used to have a greyhound that was an ex-racer, and she was damn fast for being retired. Loyal dog too- I miss her.

Mark, I just re-read your post. Sorry, I didn't see it before. Australian shepard X Australian cattle dog ...

I'd check your car's speedo too mate - seems to be underestimating by a good 10mph!

James.

That sounds right...most dogs are sprinters and can run at astonishing speeds for short distances (such as wolves chasing deer in the wild). Other dogs are bred for strength and can do both sprints and long-haul. My two dogs who recents passed were Samoyeds, used in Arctic and Antarctic exploration, along with Huskies, Malamutes. The small one (40 lbs) was capable of pulling me and the sofa I was sitting on 5-6 feet across a wooden floor....using only the sock in his mouth (we were playing "tug on the sock". I cannot imagine how fast a team of these would go across snow and ice, pulling from their chests.

I have two Basset hounds and everyone thinks they are slow but the rabbits don't. They are amazingly quick but definitely not a long distance runner.

Ted

Originally Posted by stogieiv

I have two Basset hounds and everyone thinks they are slow but the rabbits don't. They are amazingly quick but definitely not a long distance runner.

Ted

Is the chase over when they step on their own ears?

At one of the Schutzhund National championships a few years back they had a fun event called the rocket recall competition. The competitors would have their dog down at the end of the field thn they would walk seventy five yards and call their dog to them. They clocked all the dogs with a radar gun and the fastest won a prize. all of the dogs clocked well into the thrties, I don't remember the winners speed though. All the competitors were German Shepherds, not exactly known for their speed.